The Airedale Terrier dog is a friendly, intelligent, alert, courageous breed. It is the giant terrier breed, so the dogs are traditionally called the ‘king of Terriers’. Other names of the dogs are Working, waterside, or Bingley terriers. They are good family pets for their fun-loving characteristics, and their size and intelligence make them highly versatile dogs.
History and Origin of Airedale Terrier
The largest of all the British terrier, the Airedale, dates to the mid-1800s when the Otterhound was crossed with the now-extinct Black and Tan Terrier. It was used to hunt small games and later big games in Africa, India, and North America. The Airedale also was used for police and military work. It is sometimes called the king of terriers—the breed’s country of origin in Great Britain.
Physical Description of Airedale Terrier Dog
The Airedale is a large, square terrier with a long, flat skull that equals the muzzle in length. The eyes are dark and small with a distinctive terrier expression. The ears are V-shaped and carried at the side of the head. The back is short, and the chest is deep. The tail is carried high but not curled over the back.
It is double-coated with a soft undercoat and a hard, dense, wiry outer coat that lies straight. Some stiff hairs are slightly wavy or crinkled. The coat is tan and black, with the head and ears, the lower part of legs, chest, and belly always tan. The upper parts and size of the body are black or dark grizzle. Sometimes red mixed with the black and a small, white blaze on the chest.
Height Weight and Life Span
The height of the Airedale Terrier is about 22 to 23 inches, and the weight is about 45 to 50 pounds. The dog’s life is about 10-12 years.
Temperatment and Behavior of Dog
The Airedale is an excellent guard, alert, and protective but not aggressive. It is proud and courageous with a high prey drive. It is unreliable with small animals and should be supervised with young children because it is very exuberant.
Care and Grooming of Dog
Home grooming is essential and is easy once you get the hang of it, and soon your dog will look forward to the attention he receives from you. Before you begin, however, you need some basic skills and the right equipment.
The most important training you can develop is patience for grooming. Of course, learning how to brush and bathe your Airedale Terrier dog properly is essential. But without patience, you will be frustrated with your attempts at grooming and frustrated by your dog’s squirming, reluctance, or fear of grooming. You must be patient while handling your dog.
Possible Health Concern of Airedale Terrier
The following diseases must be taken care especially by the owners of the dog breed:
- Hip dysplasia in dogs.
- Hypothyroidism in dogs.
- Skin disease of dogs.